Do women make better bosses?

If men are more likely to have command-and-control style of behaviour, women are more likely to be team builders and communicators.

Women are increasingly playing an important role in the corporate world and at least in India, many have proved themselves "successful" bosses.

They face a great challenge in keeping a fine balance between what they do at home and how they overcome work-related pressures in a male-dominated environment.

An outstanding example is 39-year-old Anupama Vatsayan Arya, who heads Mobera Systems, a high-end software company headquartered in Chandigarh with its offices in USA and France.

Since its inception in 2003, the company has made steady progress. Last year it achieved a whopping $2.5 million turnover. It keeps growing at 100 per cent each year.

A “successful” boss, Anupama has proved that gender favouritism no more exists.

“The biggest fight is against your own preconceived notions. Even if there are perceptions that okay, this cannot be done, I think there’s a way out to counter that. The proof is in the pudding,” said Anupama.

In their role as domestic managers, women play an important role in enabling the household to adapt to change.

Rajesh Gill, a sociologist said: “They are very particular about their subordinates; a humane touch is landed out to the staff and subordinates. Of course, I don’t say all women are alike and all men are alike. But in general, there is a greatest sensitivity among women and women gave a soft and aesthetic touch to their surroundings also.”

But the question arises, are women better managers?

At University Business School, Chandigarh’s premier management institution, enrolment of female students is on a rise year after year. It’s an indication that there would be more female bosses in future.

“It’s not only the number but quality content, attitude, aptitude performance, their acceptability in business schools as well as their acceptability in the corporate world. I have seen a very positive change. So the number has gone up,” said S C Vaidya, chairman of the School.

If men are more likely than women to have command-and-control style of behaviour, women are more likely than men to be team builders and communicators.

What’s important, though, are the skills and characteristics that women excel in. If one goes by the assessment of the Chandigarh school, there will be more women bosses in the coming years.